According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Ebner's deal carries a maximum value of $5 million, including a $1.2 million signing bonus. Ebner will make a base salary of $1.2 million in 2018, and can earn $400,000 in roster bonuses, and a $2 million base salary in 2019, when he can make up to $200,000 in roster bonuses.

The 6-foot, 220-pound Ebner was selected by New England in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2016, when he tied for the league lead with 19 tackles on special teams, but missed the Patriots' run to an AFC title last year after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in November.

Ebner, 29, has played in 82 regular season games for New England and helped the Patriots to wins in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks and Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. He also played for the U.S. Olympic rugby team at the 2016 Summer Games.